A plea to abandon tribalism

[Saviolo]

I've always said that one of the biggest positive aspects of progressives and liberals is that it's a big umbrella that includes a lot of different people all being progressive and liberal in their own way, pushing and reaching out for their own individual goals. By contrast, the regressive right is all regressive (and oppressive) in the same couple of ways.

Sadly, the best feature of the left and the worst feature of the right are our weakness and their strength, respectively. We get infighting, and they get ideological purity.

But lately, the biggest highlight I've seen in so many political (and other) discussions is an increasing tribalism. An us vs. them attitude that is poisoning the political discourse. The worst thing about it is that this kind of rhetoric strengthens the right while it weakens us on the left, specifically because we have so many diverse and equally valid viewpoints.

In short, things are getting ugly. I'm seeing Bernie supporters and Hillary supporters not just butting heads, but building walls. I'm seeing dog piles, dismissive language, anger, resentment, aggression, and sometimes hatred. Look, people: We're all supposed to be on the same side. Hillary supports obviously support Hillary, and Bernie supporters obviously support Bernie, but can we stop acting like they are the Evil+ and Evil# groups respectively? Name calling, call-outs, it's all just too much, folks.

Hillary's taken a lot of money from big corporations, certainly. Her track record on Wall St. is questionable. Is she qualified for the job of POTUS? Yes.

Bernie's got a very narrow focus in a lot of his campaign. He doesn't have an answer for every issue that's plopped in front of him. Is he qualified for the job of POTUS? Yes.

Please stop pretending that having Hillary in office would be the same as having Trump or Cruz in office. Please stop pretending that having Bernie in office would be like having Ross Perot Lite(tm) in office. We all know, intellectually, that the democratic platform has a lot of different planks. Let the progressive candidates be progressive in their own ways. Let's bring back civilized discourse. You know what's stopping us from engaging in civilized discourse?

Nothing.

There is literally nothing stopping us from deciding that starting now, I will not name-call, I will not tear down, I will not rant and scream and belittle. I will not discount the voices of people different from me who have experiences I will never have. I will not expect perfection from my allies, so long as they are willing to listen, learn, and improve.

Please, please, I beg you: Build up instead of tearing down. More and more in the last few years, I think of former Canadian NDP party leader Jack Layton (tragically taken from us) and his final public statement: My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

This has been rambling and directionless, and I apologize for that, but thank anyone who read this far. Lots going on in my life, and I'm trying to look into 2016 with optimism, but I'm having a hard time. I know it's a bit of a paradigm shift without a clutch, but let's get in gear, can we?

[cali]

1. Wrong forum. And whatever

[jberryhill]

2. .

Why do you talk to people that way?

[1StrongBlackMan]

3. +1. Well stated. We do get a tad carried away, don't we. eom.

[Saviolo]

4. I appreciate it.

The internet seems to make the problem worse, when we can surround ourselves in echo bubbles that validate everything we say. Trump may be the strongest indicator of the whole situation.

[Maedhros]

5. The problem as I see it is that Hillary Clinton is no progressive or liberal - she's a neoliberal.

So expecting me to respect her platform as part of the progressive/liberal "big tent" is a no-sale.

In effect, your post itself is urging a tribal approach based upon labels: Clinton and Sanders are both Democrats, so all Democrats should support both candidates.

[Saviolo]

6. I'm Canadian

...but I'd be a Bernie supporter if I were in the USA.

But more I'm trying to urge a toning down of the rhetoric. I agree with you that Hillary is corporatist, but I'm looking at the bigger picture at the same time. I'd much rather have Hillary in office than Trump, Cruz, Rubio. If we tear down the candidates or, even worse, just don't show up, the only people we're helping is the lunatic right.

[Maedhros]

8. I think nominating Bernie Sanders is the most important thing that liberals and progressives can do

to save this country. Defeating Hillary Clinton is job number one. I will not engage in ad hominem attacks on her character, but I will certainly point out the idealogical bankruptcy of her policies.

If Clinton wins the nomination, the corporate oligarchy wins the Presidency no matter how the General Election plays out.

[mmonk]

7. No tribalism here. I know Clinton is better than Trump.

I also know what caused the economic crash of 2008 and know it hasn't been addressed adequately by either party. Silence is not an option in the face of fear. I support Sanders vigorously at this point because he will address it. That's all.